Cave diver training

At the ProTec Dive Center in Tulum we offer cave diver training to all levels with our in-house Cave Instructors. The cave diver training can be done in a variety of gear configurations such as with Sidemounted tanks, backmounted tanks or using a CCR Rebreather. Open circuit cave diver training comes in three training levels to reach full cave diver status. Closed circuit cave diver training comes in two training levels to reach CCR cave diver status. There are a number of cave diver specialty programs such as stage cave diver, survey and cartography or DVP cave diver.

The cave diver training program can be done in Sidemount, double tank configuration or on a CCR Rebreather. If you like to do your cave diver training in Sidemount you need to show us a openwater Sidemount certification or a log book with 50 Sidemount dives. If you are planning to do your cave diver program in double tanks and never have been diving in double tanks we would like you to take the two day Essential Diver preparation program prior to the cave course where you learn how to assemble, configure, dive and control double tanks including hovering horizontal and backward kick. If you like to take your cave diver training on a CCR Rebreather you need to have a minimum of 30 hours on your unit. There are a number of good cave diver training related articles on our Blog. Please have a look.

First level Cavern Diver - This the starting point and your introduction into the world of overhead environment diving. Here in Southern Mexico we can offer our customers the best that the world can offer in cavern and cave diving. The Cavern Diver course is offered to all certified divers that have the interest to either just enjoy the natural daylight cavern zone of the cave or those who are starting with the intention of going on to the Intro or Full Cave level. The Cavern Diver takes a minimum of four days and is taught traditionally in single tank configuration.

Second level Intro to Cave Diver - This is the first level of cave diver training that takes you out of the cavern zone and into the cave, out of the natural daylight zone and into the dark zone. The Intro cave course can be combined with the cavern diver course to make great six days of training and a great learning experience. Critical survival skills are learned during this advanced diver level course to allow divers safely enter cave zones after they have mastered the exercises required for this training level. Traditionally the Intro cave course is taught in double tanks but can be done in Sidemount configuration as well. You need to show us a openwater Sidemount certification in order to do the Intro cave course in Sidemount.

Third level Full Cave - This is the ultimate goal for most divers searching out cave diver training. This is a great level to achieve, to start your future in learning about the cave environment and to practice you skills learned during your series of cave courses.

Upon certification to the full cave diver level you will have mastered the skills required to dive in this unique overhead environment. This course is not to be taken lightly and your accomplishment of reaching this level is rewarding in itself. From this point on you are certified and qualified to practice, dive, and enjoy the underwater world of penetration cave diving. The combined Cavern - Intro and Full Cave Diver takes a minimum of nine days. Traditionally the Intro cave course is taught in double tanks but can be done in Sidemount configuration as well. You need to show us a openwater Sidemount certification in order to do the Intro cave course in Sidemount.

Technical Caver Diver - Take the Full Cave Diver Course a bit further, add some nitrox and then some oxygen for decompression stops and you end up with the start of a Technical Cave Diver Program. The entire purpose of this program is to train competent divers safe cave diving and the technical utilization of eanx and oxygen for cave exploration. The Technical Cave Diver takes a minimum of four days if you are already adv. eanx diver. If you are a technical diver or trimix diver the tec cave course takes 2-3 days to complete.

CCR Intro to Cave diver - The CCR Rebreather intro to cave diver training program is the first stage of CCR cave diver training. During the intro cave training program you learn how to safely penetrate the dark zone of the cave. All CCR critical drills have to be completed inside the cave as well as all the cave diving critical survival skills have to be learned and practice inside the cave. The Intro Cave CCR Cave Diver training program takes a minimum of 6 days to complete.

CCR Cave diver - The CCR cave diver training program can be taken in one go as a combined intro to cave and CCR cave training program. If taken combined the CCR cave diver training program takes a minimum of 9 days to complete. If you are already a CCR intro to cave diver and would like to upgrade to the CCR cave diver level then your training will take a minimum of 5 days to complete. It is in the CCR cave diver level where you polish your skills as a cave diver and engage in very complex cave dives.

Please don't hesitate to email us if you have any questions or need assistance.

Cave conservation

Cave conservation is a priority right after diver safety. The water filled caves in Mexico are very fragile with lots of silt and low water flow. Good buoyancy and trim needs to be employed to prevent damaging the fragile caves